Aftercare Program & Support Group Meetings

What are Al-Anon and Nar-Anon?

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are non-professional fellowship whose members share their experience, strength, and hope to resolve everyday problems.

Participants learned to avoid standing in the way of the addicts’ or alcoholics’ recovery.

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are not a replacement for nor provide a professional treatment.

We do cooperate with AA and NA and other recovery programs but don’t affiliate with or recommend them specifically.

Al-Anon for Family Members

Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been impacted by someone else’s alcoholism.

By sharing common struggles and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive developments to their circumstances,

whether or not the alcoholic realizes the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.  [1]

It may be that you could help matters by changing some of your ways that make things more damaging.

On the other hand, it may be likely to find a healthier way to react to these challenges.

While simple problems may have manageable solutions, the solution to complicated problems is more difficult to explain.

Al‑Anon simplifies a complex problem by recommending a “One Day at a Time” approach, which takes things one step at a time.

Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people whose lives have been altered by someone else’s alcoholism.

Nar-Anon for Family Members

The Nar-Anon Family Groups is principally for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very close to you. [2]

You are no longer alone when you come into the family group, and members respect your confidence and anonymity.

The program hopes to assure you that no situation is too difficult and unhappiness is too great to overcome.

The Nar-Anon program, which is not a religious but a spiritual way of life, is based on the Twelve Steps.

Members found that the working of these steps will bring the solution to practically any difficulty.  So the program urges you to take this program and its twelve steps earnestly.

It has been as crucial to the members as the Narcotics Anonymous program is to the addict.

The group only asks for the wisdom and courage to see ourselves as we are, to do something about ourselves with the help of a Higher Power as we realize this,

and for the grace to release our addicts with love and cease trying to improve them.

Keep an open mind and attend as many meetings as possible.  Feel free to participate during the session.

You may ask questions after the meeting.  You’ll soon make friends and will feel a part of the group very much.

Knowing that addiction is a disease and the realization that we are powerless over it and other people’s lives, we are ready to do something significant and constructive with our own.

Then, and only then, we can be of any help to others.

How to Join Al-Anon and Nar-Anon

Participating is easy – attend a meeting.  The only qualification for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend.

The programs are never affiliated with any other organization or outside entity.

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon have no dues or fees.  Each group is self-supporting and receives donations for local expenses such as room rent and supplies.

Group and member donations maintain the Al-Anon and Nar-Anon World Service Office.

What to Expect in Al-Anon and Nar-Anon Meetings

Attending Al-Anon or Nar-Anon group meetings may be precisely what you need to bring closure to a loved one’s condition.

At first, it may feel uncomfortable to be welcomed into these mutual support networks to address your loved one’s addiction or alcoholism.

However, most people find that relating with other families who have been through similar situations can be helpful.

Addiction tends to isolate its sufferers.  However, hearing other people’s accounts and experiences with pain and healing can empower you.

Once you feel safe enough, you can share your story and inspire others at Nar-Anon and Al-Anon family group meetings.

Your story may help a family similar to yours in coping with the same emotions you did.

So many people are affected by addiction, and there is no embarrassment in seeking help or speaking out.

Getting some sense of tranquility can assist anyone in recovering from an alcohol or drug use problem.

Family Homes With Addiction & The Importance of Al-Anon and Nar-Anon

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for helping a family member who is drinking too much, using drugs, or dealing with a mental illness,

research shows that family support can play a significant role in helping a loved one with mental and substance use disorders.  [3]

Family members may be more likely to discern when their loved ones are experiencing changes in mood or behavior.

Being able to offer support, family members can connect those in need with treatment, resources, and services to begin and stay on their recovery journey.

Level Up Palm Beach County Free Family Programs

When a family member is experiencing a mental disorder or alcoholism, it can affect more than just the person in need of recovery.

Evidence has shown that some people have a genetic predisposition for developing mental disorders and substance use disorder and may be at greater risk based on

environmental factors such as having grown up in a home affected by a family member’s mental health or history of substance use.

Families should be open to the options of support groups or family therapy and counseling, which can improve treatment effectiveness by supporting the whole family. [4]

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon: How Alcohol Abuse Impacts Family

Alcohol abuse has the potential to destroy families.

Research shows that families affected by alcoholism are more likely to have low emotional bonding, expressiveness, and independence.

In addition, couples with at least one alcoholic have more negative interactions than couples who aren’t affected by alcoholism.

Addiction is an expensive disease.

Depending on the type of alcohol a person drinks and how much they drink, a person addicted to alcohol may spend between $300 and $1,000 on alcohol each month.

That can be a major drain on a family budget.

In addition to emotional abuse, drinking problems always have a connection with intimate partner violence.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) [5], some studies suggest that alcohol makes the frequency and severity of domestic violence worse.

However, it’s unclear if alcohol abuse is a cause of domestic violence or a risk factor.

Our family program here at Level Up West Palm will also ensure your recovery along with your family.

Again, this is to assure your sobriety and mental health are going in the right direction.

We at Level Up West Palm can also do an intervention aside from family therapy.

We will also participate for you or your family member to help ease the transition into a life of peace and recovery.

You do not have to take on the weight of living with an addict alone.

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon bring people together who have the same experiences and remind members to take care of themselves before trying to care for someone else.

Many drug users try to hide their addiction from friends and family for as long as possible.

Call us today with any questions that you might have regarding our family program or for more information about Al-Anon and Nar-Anon.